Named for its pattern of ridges and valleys, Ridge Rest has been recognized by Backpacker Magazine as one of the best designs in backpacking equipment. Heat molded from laminated EVA closed-cell foam, it is warmer, softer, and more comfortable than any conventional flat foam pad. Economical and worry-free, the Ridge Rest pad is perfect for beginning backpackers and high-altitude mountaineers alike. The standard Ridge Rest is available in full-length and 3/4 sizes as well as a new 25-inch-wide (63 cm) model. The Ridge Rest Deluxe pad, made with a thicker foam laminate, is even warmer and cushier and comes in full-length size only.

I use the 3/4 when I want to go with an ultra-lite pad. I usually use a self-inflating pad but I save 13 oz when I take this one. However, there is a price to pay for ultra-lite. It's not as warm or comfortable. But I still take it on trips when I'm also carrying climbing gear, and would rather sacrifice comfort to get weight savings. For what it is and does, it's pretty good, just don't expect to be as comfortable. Pros: Very light, easy to use with no inflating or deflating, no way it can be punctured. Cons: Not as warm, not as comfortable.

Everyone has their favorites but this isn't one of mine. I bought one with the idea that I could go a little lighter and leave the thermarest at home but try as I may, I couldn't get a very restful nights sleep on this pad. I need a pad that gives me a little more cushioning so in some cases the trade off for weight savings isn't worth it. When you consider that you'll be spending 1/3rd of your day on this pad, the extra weight of a thermarest (in my case) is worth its weight in gold.

I have had the standard Ridge Rest for a couple of years now. I cut it in to the 3/4 -lenght version (as I couldn't get the 3/4 lenght from the shop). I usually use this when go backbacking in the summer and it's marvelous.

I also have tested the pad in winter, even in cold as -22F. There were some cold spots (hips and shoulder) but they were quite small and didn't distrupt my sleep much.

The only cons I can think of is the thingn that when I sleep on it in a thin sleeping bag, I have riges all over my back and shoulders.

The pros are it's quite light and you can't punchure it like an airmattress.

Super light, cheap and keeps that little stuff from poking you in the back which is all I usually need. But, I’m probably not the one to ask about comfort because I could sleep on a rock if it’s warm enough. Warmth is merely adequate compared to a good Thermarest. This should be considered a 3-season item well worth using when you can.

This is a decent pad. Comparatively it is pretty comfortable. The ridges compress nicely when new and provide surprising bounce. After about 40-50 nights it does lose a lot of it's resilience and become flat. It's pretty durable and punctures aren't a problem. It does take up a lot of volume however.

I've been using my Ridge Rest (standard, full length) for about 10 years, and it has held up pretty well. Don't expect a super comfortable pad, but this one will get the job done at a good price and at a low weight. Similar to what one of the previous reviewers experienced, mine has actually started to get kind of flat, so I will probably replace it soon.

I had an original thermarest before this, but I prefer the maintenance-free qualities of the Ridge Rest.

I got this pad for $5 at an REI Garage Sale. I have the full length version and sleep well on it 30 nights a year. It's very light, I find it very comfortable and very bulky. Finding an inobtrusive place to strap this to the outside of my pack hasn't ever been a problem. Its waterproof, and i like to use it under a bivysac. It's warm enough for me, but i generally sleep very warm. I've been in -30f temps on just one of these and slept fine and warm. The price is right, it's versatile, durable and i heard you can make a mean sled out of it. this is a solid piece of gear for cub scouts to high altitude mountaineers.

This is an inexpensive, robust, reasonably warm pad. I use it for anything from snow to summer months, although I find that sometimes--apparently randomly--it does not insulate enough for some snow.

Like:

-Low weight (9oz!)

-Takes abuse: inflict and forget!

-Low cost

Dislikes:

-Bulk, and inability to compress. There's just nothing that can be done:)

-Sometimes, when sleeping on snow, the pad might feel really cold, and I'll be uncomfortable. Other times, also on snow, I'll feel fine. Air temps are the same. I don't know what this is due to...different snow consistencies perhaps, leading to varying contact, and heat transmission?

-Comfort. The ground has to be very smooth. Any peas will be easily felt by us camping princesses. Sometimes, the ground will feel hard, and others I feel comfortable. I do believe this is also a function of how tired I am! And, of course, the ground...

I have pretty much given up on inflatable pads, with the exception of extreme conditions. With all the gear an average person has, it is easy to fill in the other 1/4 where there is no pad. I sometimes also place clothes *under* the pad, which makes it a bit warmer as well when on snow--but not clothes I expect to wear the next morning...

I am happy to see a thicker version available. I think I'll buy one, and cut it down to 3/4 length to make it lighter. The remainder can be used as a sitting pad, too...

Bottom line: Recommended for the conditions it was designed for. Or, for colder conditions as well, with "coaxing" from other supporting gear. Finally, I don't know why, but on the same terrain, sometimes this feels great to sleep on, and other times my shoulder just always seems to plow into the hard ground.

I would have to call this the best of the closed cell foam pads that I have used. When compared to the more expensive Therm-a-rest pads I would probably rate it 2 or 3 stars as the lack of compressibility and comfort are liabilities.

That being said, you won't touch a Therm-a-rest at this price. This is a very good product for the money. I enjoyed mine for a few years prior to upgrading to a Therm-a-rest Pro-Lite 3.

As I've gotten older I find I don't use this pad anymore. I like the Z-rest better because it doesn't curl up when I'm trying to lay it flat so I can sleep on it. I like inflating pads better because they're more cushy and comfortable. But nothing beats the Ridge-rest as far as weight is concerned!